Titan Spine surface technology may enhance bone growth

12th September 2013

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Titan Spine has announced that a new study, published ahead-of-print in The Spine Journal, shows that the combination of textures provided by its implant’s surface technology promotes superior production of angiogenic growth factors as compared with PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone) and smooth titanium alloy materials.

The study compared the production of osteogenic and angiogenic growth factors by human osteoblast cells cultured on PEEK, smooth titanium alloy, and Titan Spine’s roughened titanium alloy surface. The authors of the study, led by Barbara Boyan, dean of the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, USA, concluded that: “This experimental study demonstrates that the [Titan Spine surface] stimulates an angiogenic-osteogenic environment with factors important in bone formation and remodelling. This osteogenic environment may enhance bone formation, implant stability, and fusion.”

Boyan commented: “Our research shows that changes in implant surface structures at the micron and submicron levels have a significant impact on the bone formation response that is created. It is not enough to simply create a roughened texture at the macro level, as this has little to no effect on the behaviour of an individual bone-forming cell. It is the structure of the surface at the micron and submicron levels that hold the key. I am pleased to collaborate with Titan Spine as the company continues to optimise their current and future surface technologies to benefit the spinal fusion patient.”